From today, all arms of the National Security Ministry have been placed on high alert to quell any foreseen incidents in wake of a looming national strike. The Police Service Social and Welfare Association received a directive from Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs around 2 pm yesterday, mandating that all officers work on a 24-hour basis as law enforcement agencies step up their contingency plans. The order was dispatched by Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson.
The directive has come on the heels of officers threatening to engage in a massive sickout action. When contacted yesterday the association's president, Sgt Anand Ramesar, confirmed he received the top cop's directive, via a text message. He said: "Police officers are expected to be placed on 24-hour duty from tomorrow (today) as a strategy to counter any possible strike actions by the trade unions. "This continues after the weekend and will involve all facets of the National Security Ministry - air, naval and land." He added the directive was a clear indication the action by the trade unions was taken seriously by national security.
He said the directive also warned police officers to be on the alert for incidents of sabotage. On Wednesday, several officers from all divisions stayed away from duty. The action also resulted in a shutdown at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates' Court as only four officers from the Court and Process Branch reported for duty, the association said. Ramesar said it was only after he heard about the rumour regarding the new working hours he made a request from the police executive for confirmation.
"It seems this really is to monitor the activities of the trade unions," Ramesar added. He said the association also was informed the various wrecking services also were alerted. According to Ramesar, given the nature of the operation it would likely be monitored from a central incident command centre. He added: "The Police Service generally deals with these matters from what is termed an incident command operation where there is a gold commander, a silver commander and a bronze commander. "That will be the incident command approach with which they are treating with this particular matter. The jurisdiction will be Trinidad and Tobago generally."
He said the association had not been made aware of the names of the commanders. Accusing the executive of not "complying with regulations," Ramesar said: "The easiest way to move ahead is to bypass the people who would prevent you from violating the regulations, which is the association. Deeming the directive as a "high-handed approach," Ramesar added: "So you go ahead and then we have to address from that position."
Asked what was the level of commitment by police officers to be out in full force today in light of plans to stage a five-day sickout, Ramesar said that could not be answered by the association. Questioned if all officers were prepared to work today, Ramesar said: "The association cannot answer that." Assuring, however, that officers will "always work hard in T&T," Ramesar added: "What I am concerned about is that there must be some honesty in treating with police officers when dealing with the salary issue. "If management is not honest with the Police Service it is very likely that can have a negative repercussion."
What the directive said
"This is to ensure a state of readiness to deal with any state of lawlessness that may arise to create a viable networking of law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to pre-empt any disruption to the peace and good order to ensure a sense of safety and security to all citizens by maintaining public order throughout the country. "It is also intended to provide information and guidelines to all police officers and to ensure they have a full understanding of their responsibilities. "Police officers are in a special category when it came to duty. You get instructions you have to follow it despite threats of wanting to stay home."
Units placed on alert
UNITS PLACED ON ALERT:
• Police Service, including K-9 Branch and the Special Anti-crime Unit of T&T (SAUTT);
• Defence Force;
• Customs and Excise Division;
• Air Guard;
• Prisons Service;
• Fire Services;
• ambulance service;
• special forces; and,
• Coast Guard.
Installations being guarded:
• T&TEC;
• WASA;
• PTSC;
• TSTT; and,
• Petrotrin.